The flow of time

[wiseheart]

Days just seem to flow into each other with this new sort of life for us. It's hard to keep tab on which day of the week it is - except that we must, because of Mum's injections. The physiotherapist was here today and was fairly content with Mum's progress. Given the poor shape of her other knee and her damaged shoulder (back from fifteen or so years ago) she's doing as well as we can hope.

Today, she managed to lie on her good side for about half an hour, which was a great relief for her. She's up most of the day, but she needs an hour or two to rest in the afternoon, and it will be good if she wouldn't have to lie on her back in that time. We'll see. Slow progress is progress, too, and trying to force things won't bring us anywhere. This is a very long-term project, and we must be patient.

Comments

[meathiel]

Glad to hear she's getting a bit better every say.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I'm happy about that, too. She's severely handicapped by the fact that her other leg has been bad for a decade and a half, as well as her right shoulder, so practically she has only one fully functional limb left. That makes recovery a lot harder than usual.

[bk_forever]

Just take it one day at a time. At some point you'll both look back and see you've made more progress than you realised.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That's my hope as well. And that once I've got used to this new kind of life I won't be so tired all the time.

[bk_forever]

It's just a matter of adjusting, finding your rhythm.

[curiouswombat.livejournal.com]

I'm just catching up — and honestly I would say she is making good progress.

20 or 30 years ago, after surgery to insert pins and plates for a fractured femur, she would still be in hospital. Then, at her age, the hospital where I worked on the female orthopaedic ward the 1980s would probably have arranged for her to go to the (since sold off and now a posh hotel) NHS convalescent home in the nearby countryside for a couple of weeks before going home.

I used to spend a surprising amount of my later working life pointing out to people that just because they were now sent home from hospital much earlier didn't mean that they were actually healing faster than those people of 30 years ago, just that it was realised that most people ate better, slept better, and were less likely to catch infections if they went home. Also, of course, it saved the NHS money. Sadly, it does mean a lot more work for family members though.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

It does. I'd do it gladly, though, if it meant she'd get better.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Yay for some progress.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Indeed!

[wanderingmogwai.livejournal.com]

It's so good she's willing to participate and take responsibility for her own well being. Any amount of progress is progress. <3 <3. <3.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

That is my hope as well.

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

It will get better, but it will take time. Your mum is willingly participating in her physiotherapeutical exercises, because she knows it's for her own good. You will already feel the strain of the new routine, because it is hard work you do, both of you. Any chance you can take a rest when your mum has her afternoon nap? It would do you some good!

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Usually, I do. On some days, however, I have to go to the shops, and that is the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. *sigh*

[elwenlj.livejournal.com]

I'm no medical expert but it sounds like she's doing great, under the circumstances.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

I just wish we were done with the control visit at the hospital already. The thought upsets her to no end, and it's not good for her.

[mirasaui.livejournal.com]

Hugs to you both, wishing you better days.

[wiseheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Mira!